Social Darwinism and nationalism in Korea : the beginnings (1880s-1910s) : "survival" as an ideology of Korean modernity / / by Vladimir Tikhonov.

• Superior document: Brill's Korean studies library ; 2
• Author: Tikhonov, V. M.
• Year of Publication: 2010
• Edition: 1st ed.
• Language: English
• Series: Brill's Korean studies library ; v. 2.
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (267 p.)
• Notes: Description based upon print version of record.

The book deals with the influences Social Darwinism exerted upon Korea’s modern ideologies in their formative period - especially nationalism – after its introduction to Korea in 1883 and before Korea’s annexation by Japan in 1910. It shows that the belief in the “survival of the fittest” as the overarching cosmic and social principle constituted the main underpinning for the modernity discourses in Korea in the 1890's-1900's. Unlike the dominant ideology of traditional Korea, Neo-Confucianism, which was largely promoted by the scholar-official elite, Social Darwinism appealed to the modern intellectuals, but also to the entrepreneurs, providing the justification for their profit-seeking activities as part of the “national survival” project. As an ideology of Korea’s nascent capitalism, Social Darwinism in Korea could, however, hardly be called a liberal creed: it clearly prioritized “national survival” over individual rights and interests.

Table of Contents

Preliminary Material / V. Tikhonov -- Chapter One. Introduction: Social Darwinism And The Ambivalences Of Modernity / V. Tikhonov -- Chapter Two. Social Darwinist Pioneers: The Cases Of Yu Kiljun And Yun Ch’iho / V. Tikhonov -- Chapter Three. Social Darwinism For The Public: The Tongnip Sinmun (The Independent) And The Popularization Of Social Darwinism In The 1890's / V. Tikhonov -- Chapter Four. Salvation Of The State And Race: Social Darwinism At The Dawn Of The Twentieth Century / V. Tikhonov -- Chapter Five. Survival, God And Buddha: Social Darwinism In The Buddhist Context / V. Tikhonov -- Chapter Six. Knowledge Is Strength: Social Darwinism In Pre-Colonial Education / V. Tikhonov -- Chapter Seven. Muscular Nationalism At The Dawn Of The New Century: Social Darwinism As An Ideology Of Hegemonic Masculinity / V. Tikhonov -- Chapter Eight. Conclusion: The Influences Of Social Darwinism In Korea (1900's And After) / V. Tikhonov -- Glossary Of East Asian Terms / V. Tikhonov -- Bibliography / V. Tikhonov -- Index Of Concepts And Publication Titles / V. Tikhonov -- Index Of Personal And Geographical Names / V. Tikhonov.